Moon Lovers: Bound by Blood and Revenge

Kira and Marceline had a final briefing about their plan before they came back, joining the other members of the Zhou Family in the dining area.

This time Marceline didn't provoke her Uncle further. They continued eating as if they hadn't talked about Marceline's parents a while ago.

Grandpa Roland was very attentive to Marceline while Natasha and Enrique were silently observing Kira. They didn't want to admit but Kira's posture and aura seemed to be not ordinary.

Though he was just a bodyguard before, the way he moves and acts looked like he came from a prestigious family. But they refused to believe that. For them, he was just a lowly bodyguard.

Little did they know, Kira came from the noblest family of Vampires that's why his etiquette and manners were very refined and classy. Aside from that, Kira was the King of Vampires, the most powerful creature in the Kingdom of Phantasia so he possessed a confident and domineering aura that could intimidate anyone.

On the other hand, Evelyn and Ronan were exchanging signals in which the two of them could only understand. Evelyn planned to talk to Grandpa Roland tonight regarding company matters but she couldn't get the chance to talk to him privately as he was occupied with Marceline. He was entertaining the couple, engaging in a lively conversation with them.

After the dinner, Natasha and Enrique proceeded to their respective rooms as they felt very awkward seeing Kira and Marceline together.

Marceline allowed Kira and Grandpa Roland to talk on the balcony to get to know each other more. As for Ronan and Evelyn, they went upstairs as they were not in the mood to interact with Kira and Marceline.

Inside their room, Ronan started to vent his frustrations at Marceline's actions. Evelyn tried her best to console her husband.

"That cunning witch! How dare she try to provoke me during the meal in front of my Dad! Does she really think I am guilty and I will react so that my Dad will notice my strange behavior and reaction?" Ronan slammed his desk using both hands.

"If she's not my niece, I won't hesitate to ask Cedric to eliminate her," he added.

Evelyn glanced at her husband meaningfully. In her mind, she was thinking 'Why not eliminate her? She's the only hindrance to his goal. Why bother to keep her alive? Her parents already died eighteen years ago. Does he feel guilty for what happened to his brother and sister-in-law? Does he have a soft spot for Marceline?'

Evelyn watched her husband suspiciously. But in the end, she disregarded the idea that Ronan had a soft spot for Marceline. In fact, he did try to cause an accident with his wife's instigation.

But they failed over and over again as if Marceline had someone protecting her in the shadows. No matter how hard they tried to plan everything and execute the plan well, Marceline always stayed alive, safe, and sound! She was never harmed. This was a mystery for them. Marceline was like a cat having nine lives or an immortal that never dies.

"Put your heart at ease, Honey. This is not the end. We still have other options. We just have to try everything to reach our goal. If we continue to fail, then we will do the last resort. But for now, let me convince your father that you are the one suited for the chairmanship position." Evelyn moved closer to her husband. She started massaging his temples as Ronan leaned on the backrest of his chair. They were talking in Ronan's study which was attached to their bedroom.

"You are right, Honey. Let's try talking to my father. I will leave this matter to you. I hope you can change his mind." He gazed up, looking at her with his hopeful eyes.

Evelyn just gave him a reassuring smile. She already had the perfect strategy on how she would be able to convince the old man to change the distribution of inheritance and the appointment of the new Chairman.

The husband and wife were still discussing their plans when they heard a knock outside. The two frowned as they were not expecting anyone who would try to see them at this hour.

They looked at each other before moving their gaze back to the closed door. Was it Natasha or Enrique? 

"Come in!" Ronan said, allowing the person outside to enter his study.

The husband and wife were surprised the moment Marceline came into their view. 

'Why is she here? What does she need from us?'

Ronan and Evelyn thought that Marceline and Kira were talking to Grandpa Roland. It turned out, Marceline left the two men on the balcony as she decided to see them– her Uncle in particular.

"Can we talk?" Marceline asked Ronan. She didn't call him Uncle as she no longer considered him as her relative or family.

Ronan shot her a puzzled look, wondering why Marceline wanted to talk to him. 'Is she going to confront me about the incident eighteen years ago? I'm still puzzled as to how she's able to learn something about her parents' death. Who gave her the information?'

Trying his best to remain calm, Ronan motioned his wife to leave them. Marceline wanted to talk to him alone so Ronan complied with what she wanted.

Evelyn just nodded her head before leaving the two. She silently walked out of Ronan's study room.

As they were now alone, Marceline didn't beat around the bush as she confronted him directly.

"I am here to ask you several questions. You can either answer me truthfully or not. But no worries, I can tell whether you are telling the truth or not. I just want to confirm something."

Ronan's expression turned ugly. Marceline was talking to him impolitely. He was older than her but the way she talked to him was like they were of the same age. 

She sounded very cold and distant, unlike before she could act civil in front of her Uncle. This time he could see a glint of hatred and hostility in Marceline's emerald eyes. But Ronan remained unfazed, feigning innocence.

"Okay, just ask me anything. Though I have no idea what this is all about, I will allow you to speak up your mind," Ronan responded calmly.

He invited her to sit down on the vacant chair in front of his desk so that they could talk while sitting and facing each other.

"How did you feel when my parents died?" She asked him directly.

Ronan's eyebrow twitched as he could tell that Marceline was trying to test him or gather information from him. 'I have nothing to worry about. I made sure to erase and get rid of the evidence that might implicate me during the incident eighteen years ago.'

"Of course, I am sad! My brother died as well as my sister-in-law. My niece became an orphan at a young age," Ronan responded as if he truly cared about Marceline and her parents.

Meanwhile, Marceline felt like puking a mouthful of blood. Her Uncle was good at acting. Even his expression showed a hint of pain.

'A great pretender…'

"You are lying! Of all the people, you might be the first one rejoicing for their deaths," Marceline blatantly said, her eyes staring at him sharply.

"Nonsense!" Ronan felt insulted by Marceline's words. "Are you accusing me? How dare you talk to me like that? I'm your Uncle!"

Marceline let out humorless laughter. She clapped her hands while giving Ronan a look of disgust!

"If I am gullible, I would have believed you already. You have superb acting skills, Mr. CEO. Why are you denying it? No need to hide the truth from me. We are the only ones here. Stop pretending you care for me and my parents. Because you never did! You… you wanted them dead, am I right?" Marceline already raised her voice, not minding the dark expression of Ronan.

"Have you lost your mind, Marceline?!! Watch your mouth! Don't accuse me of something I didn't do. Are you trying to use this baseless accusation for you to get everything from the Zhou Family?" Ronan slammed his desk while gritting his teeth. He thought he could control his emotions but he failed. How dare she interrogate him as if he was the prime suspect for her parents' murder case.

Marceline looked at him with contempt. "I should be the one saying that to you. You are the one who is greedy of power and wealth, even sacrificing your own brother for material gains. I loathe you for that."

Ronan could no longer tolerate Marceline's sharp tongue. He raised his hand to slap Marceline on her face but before his hand could land against her flesh, Marceline caught his arm thus stopping him from slapping her.

They were in that kind of position when the door of the study room swung open and Grandpa Roland emerged from it.

"What is happening here?" The old man asked in puzzlement. Then the puzzlement in his eyes was replaced by rage as he saw Ronan trying to slap Marceline.

Marceline smiled inwardly as Kira got the right timing of sending her grandfather to witness this scene.

"RONAN?!! Are you trying to hurt my granddaughter?!" Grandpa Roland dashed inside. He immediately pulled Marceline, stepping in the middle as he shielded her from Ronan.

"Dad, don't blame me. She needs to learn a lesson. She doesn't know how to respect me, an elder," Ronan explained, defending himself.

"What is this all about?!" Grandpa Roland asked Ronan with his authoritative voice.

"She is accusing me–" Ronan was not able to finish his words as Marceline cut him off.

"Grandpa, I finally learned who killed my parents and the reason why they were killed!"